Children are a gift, a reward, and a blessing from God. 
(Psalms 127:3-5)

The act of dedicating children to the Lord was a common practice of blessing amoung the people of God in both the Old and New Testament periods.  In addition, it was also a statement of recognition on the part of the parents that their child really belonged to God.  As Christians today, at NorthPark we dedicate children with the same purpose in mind.


In the Old Testament, Elkanah and Hannah dedicated their boy Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:21-28).
"So have I also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." 




In the New Testament, many parents brought their children to Jesus to be dedicated and blessed.  Jesus Himself said, "Permit the children to come to me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shalt not enter it at all."  And he took them to His arms and began blessing them, laying hands on them."  (Mark 10:13-16) 


In fact, even Jesus Himself was deicated and presented to the Lord by his parents, Joseph and Mary.  "When the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him (Dedicate Him) to the Lord."  (Luke 2:22)




Jesus was presented and Dedicated as part of His parent's commitment to follow God and to help Jesus completely fulfill the Law.  Jesus was sent by God, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem mankind who was under the law.  And though Jesus was without sin or guilt.  He had to perform all the obligations of the Law (Matthew 5:17-18) and to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).  Therefore, Jesus was voluntarily circumcised (Luke 22:21) and then Dedicated at the Temple (Luke 22:22-24).